Our first Oceania cruise

[rollie]

We’re thinking about booking the Riviera in a concierge class cabin.  I understand we get priority restaurant reservations.  Just how does that work?

 

Rollie

[Flatbush Flyer]

47 minutes ago, rollie said:

We’re thinking about booking the Riviera in a concierge class cabin.  I understand we get priority restaurant reservations.  Just how does that work?

 

Rollie

Once you book (use an Oceania Connoisseurs Club TA for added perks), you'll get an allocation of initial specialty reservations with an online booking start date for your cruise. How many and when you can book are both based on your cabin class. 

Register your cruise on the O website and then you'll have that info as well as tour options listed under "manage this booking."

 

Note that, once you are onboard, you can book additional same day specialty reservations on a space available basis at no extra charge.

 

And FWIW note that, unlike most other cruise lines, the food in all of Oceania's dining venues is excellent and their "specialty" restaurants are just that- focused cuisines (e.g., Asian, Italian, etc). And their "casual" restaurant, Terrace Café, is far from a "buffet." It has a la minute cooking, many dishes from the GDR, steak/lobster nightly and (best of all) NO self service, etc (we eat there more than any other location).

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Flatbush Flyer

[LHT28]

50 minutes ago, rollie said:

We’re thinking about booking the Riviera in a concierge class cabin.  I understand we get priority restaurant reservations.  Just how does that work?

 

Rollie

In the past

When the date  comes open for your booking  I think 60 days from sailing  then you go online & book your Specialty restaurant reservations depending on date/time available

 

Lots of good info at the FAQ

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/

[clo]

And IIRC booking opens at midnight East Coast time and the most desirable times can go quickly. We're on the West Coast so got in at 9PM. And, yes, you can get additional bookings once on board. We loved Jacques, the French restaurant, so got a second seating where we share a four top.

[1985rz1]

52 minutes ago, rollie said:

We’re thinking about booking the Riviera in a concierge class cabin.  I understand we get priority restaurant reservations.  Just how does that work?

 

Rollie

Cabin class determines how far in advance you can book on line. The suites are first, then PH, then Concierge, and so on down the line.

[edgee]

1 minute ago, LHT28 said:

When the date  comes open for your booking  I think 60 days from sailing  then you go online & book your Specialty restaurant reservations depending on date/time available

If you have a strong  desire for getting a table for two and early evening seating, it is smart to go online immediately after the time window opens for your category. That is midnight Eastern Time on a prescribed date which will be indicated in your invoice. For most cruises you get one reservation in each of the four specialty restaurants. If you prefer to eat later and especially if you do not mind sharing, there is less of a need to pounce on your computer the minute your window opens...those reservations are easier to get. As LHT28 indicated, once onboard, it is often possible to get additional reservations, especially if you are willing to share your table with others.

 

From Oceania's website, here are the dining reservation reservation windows:

• Owner’s Suite, Vista Suite and Oceania Suite 
  Advance reservations may be made on the date final payment is due and has been received until 7 days prior to sailing, which varies between 90 and 150 days, depending on length of sailing. 
• Penthouse Suite 
  Reservations may be made 75-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full.
• Concierge Level Veranda 
  Reservations may be made 60-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full. 

All Other Categories 
Reservations may be made 45-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full.

[LHT28]

ED

 We have booked  for the Peon class & had no problem getting a 2 top at 6:30 or 7 pm

I believe they hold some tables back  for the  45 day  bookings  to have a chance 😉

[edgee]

Makes sense, Lyn. We have never chanced it, because we find the other Concierge class benefits of some value. 

[rollie]

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Sure is food for thought. Lol. A little insight on us, we are Elite Plus on Celebrity.  We’ve been cruising with them since 2001. We want to get back to those days, when the service and food were over the top. I’m thinking Oceania will be a good fit for us.  
Another reservation question. If we book through a ta would we call them to make reservations?

Rollie

 

[1985rz1]

42 minutes ago, rollie said:

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Sure is food for thought. Lol. A little insight on us, we are Elite Plus on Celebrity.  We’ve been cruising with them since 2001. We want to get back to those days, when the service and food were over the top. I’m thinking Oceania will be a good fit for us.  
Another reservation question. If we book through a ta would we call them to make reservations?

Rollie

 

I think you can, but it is not necessary if you set have up your Oceania account and added the cruise number to your "booked Cruises."  You can see what times/dates are available for 2-tops and larger and book directly.

[edgee]

1 hour ago, rollie said:

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Sure is food for thought. Lol. A little insight on us, we are Elite Plus on Celebrity.  We’ve been cruising with them since 2001. We want to get back to those days, when the service and food were over the top. I’m thinking Oceania will be a good fit for us.  
Another reservation question. If we book through a ta would we call them to make reservations?

Rollie

 

Would not want to do that, as that would cause delay. Best to go on line the minute the reservations open...at midnight eastern time for best chance of getting what you want. If you are a little less obsessive about it, at least go on line promptly the next morning.

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, edgee said:

Makes sense, Lyn. We have never chanced it, because we find the other Concierge class benefits of some value. 

DH likes the  Spa Terrace access on Riviera   but  I am not bothered  with the other perks either way

People should do what works best  for THEM 😉

 

It would be nice just to be onboard again 

 

[edgee]

10 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

DH likes the  Spa Terrace access on Riviera   but  I am not bothered  with the other perks either way

People should do what works best  for THEM 😉

 

It would be nice just to be onboard again 

 

I like the Spa Terrace too.. big reason we like Concierge in addition to earlier specialty reservations. Your comment made me smile and reminded me that you and your DH were a few doors down from us in Concierge class on the 2015 Marina North Atlantic cruise...so cold that no way we could have used the Spa Terrace. I always thought that being in Concierge on that cruise was a waste of a few bucks for us.

[LHT28]

9 minutes ago, edgee said:

I like the Spa Terrace too.. big reason we like Concierge in addition to earlier specialty reservations. Your comment made me smile and reminded me that you and your DH were a few doors down from us in Concierge class on the 2015 Marina North Atlantic cruise...so cold that no way we could have used the Spa Terrace. I always thought that being in Concierge on that cruise was a waste of a few bucks for us.

Yeah that was the one  where we got off in Sydney  because DH had a Gallbladder attack  & once home I got hit by NORO  😲

Fun trip   NOT!!!

[alcpa1]

If you don't get a reservation at one of the specialty restaurants on the first evening you may want to check early with the MDR. Sometimes they have such a large crowd that they will try to find a table for you in one of the specialty restaurants.

As for a return to what the X used to be we are also E+ but think Oceania is becoming a better fit. If you have sailed Azamara you will recognize your ship as a sister and a more than agreeable ambiance that you recall.

Enjoy!

[LHT28]

8 minutes ago, alcpa1 said:

If you have sailed Azamara you will recognize your ship as a sister and a more than agreeable ambiance that you recall.

Enjoy!

Riviera  is  a larger ship than Azamara  R ships

 

[marieps]

On 12/14/2020 at 1:13 PM, rollie said:

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Sure is food for thought. Lol. A little insight on us, we are Elite Plus on Celebrity.  We’ve been cruising with them since 2001. We want to get back to those days, when the service and food were over the top. I’m thinking Oceania will be a good fit for us.  
Another reservation question. If we book through a ta would we call them to make reservations?

Rollie

 

We are also E+ on Celebrity, but have made the decision to transition to O as Celebrity has begun a new pricing structure that has devalued some of our loyalty perks.  The pricing on Celebrity is now on par with O.  Example:  an Aquaclass 2 cabin on Equinox in Feb 2022 is only $7 pp/pd less than Riviera A3, with Prestige Drinks and tips figured in.    A no brainer for us.  

[ORV]

2 hours ago, marieps said:

We are also E+ on Celebrity, but have made the decision to transition to O as Celebrity has begun a new pricing structure that has devalued some of our loyalty perks.  The pricing on Celebrity is now on par with O.  Example:  an Aquaclass 2 cabin on Equinox in Feb 2022 is only $7 pp/pd less than Riviera A3, with Prestige Drinks and tips figured in.    A no brainer for us.  

If you look around some you might be able to find a TA with the tips covered. For what it's worth, the Oceania Loyalty perks were devalued last year for the long time cruisers, but still one of the better programs around. But that wouldn't mean much for someone just starting with them. 

[marieps]

45 minutes ago, ORV said:

If you look around some you might be able to find a TA with the tips covered. For what it's worth, the Oceania Loyalty perks were devalued last year for the long time cruisers, but still one of the better programs around. But that wouldn't mean much for someone just starting with them. 

We do have our tips covered on Sirena on the October TA.  As we are in a PH it's a substantial savings.  Riviera in 14 mos. will be only our third cruise, so you are correct in stating we feel no "lack of loyalty."  The only drawback on our Regatta TP was the teeny tiny casino.  No action.   May I assume it's a bit more lively on the 1250 pax ships?  

[LHT28]

45 minutes ago, marieps said:

The only drawback on our Regatta TP was the teeny tiny casino.  No action.   May I assume it's a bit more lively on the 1250 pax ships?  

It depends on the passenger on the cruise

 Sometimes  you could not get  a seat  other times  no one in there

 

 

[SargassoPirate]

On 12/14/2020 at 12:19 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

.

 

And FWIW note that, unlike most other cruise lines, the food in all of Oceania's dining venues is excellent and their "specialty" restaurants are just that- focused cuisines (e.g., Asian, Italian, etc). And their "casual" restaurant, Terrace Café, is far from a "buffet." It has a la minute cooking, many dishes from the GDR, steak/lobster nightly and (best of all) NO self service, etc (we eat there more than any other location).

 

 

Thanks for the dining insights, Flatbush.  I've booked my first cruise with Oceania (almost 50 cruises on other lines) and will be traveling solo in a steerage cabin.  Whenever She Who Must Be Obeyed is not cruising with me, I skip the evening MDR experience and eat in the "buffet" on my schedule. I find it much more enjoyable than a loud and crowded dining room.  Glad to know that the "buffet" on Oceania will fit my needs nicely.

 

 

 

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

Thanks for the dining insights, Flatbush.  I've booked my first cruise with Oceania (almost 50 cruises on other lines) and will be traveling solo in a steerage cabin.  Whenever She Who Must Be Obeyed is not cruising with me, I skip the evening MDR experience and eat in the "buffet" on my schedule. I find it much more enjoyable than a loud and crowded dining room.  Glad to know that the "buffet" on Oceania will fit my needs nicely.

 

 

 

Just  to mention  that on Oceania  it is open dining  Except for the specialties (reservation required)  You can dine in the GDR on your own schedule

Share  a table or not   ..no pressure

They usually have a  dinner where you can meet others travelling solo

[SargassoPirate]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Just  to mention  that on Oceania  it is open dining  Except for the specialties (reservation required)  You can dine in the GDR on your own schedule

Share  a table or not   ..no pressure

They usually have a  dinner where you can meet others travelling solo

 

Thanks for the further info LHT28.  I guess it boils down to I'm not a fan of the evening MDR experience.  We had open seating on Viking, and it was still so loud in the MDR that we couldn't carry on a conversation across the table.  Free wine and beer at dinner was probably helping fuel the decibel levels.  

 

Another plus of traveling alone is I don't have to sit through over-amplified production shows or guest singers - but that's another discussion.

 

Looking forward to trying Oceania.

 

[LHT28]

14 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

Thanks for the further info LHT28.  I guess it boils down to I'm not a fan of the evening MDR experience.  We had open seating on Viking, and it was still so loud in the MDR that we couldn't carry on a conversation across the table.  Free wine and beer at dinner was probably helping fuel the decibel levels.  

 

 

Rarely have a problem having a nice conversation with others in the GDR

 maybe it was the free wine on Viking  LOL

 Enjoy

[clo]

4 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

Glad to know that the "buffet" on Oceania will fit my needs nicely.

Oh yeah. Especially the cooked to order lobster tails, shrimp, lamb chops, etc.